Golf ball placement device

ABSTRACT

A golf ball placement device including a housing, a golf ball container, a actuator which can be actuated to place a golf ball, a tube which can hold a golf ball at its vertical position and place the golf ball at a particular position after being rotated to a horizontal position, and a transmission linkage that links the motion of the actuator to the pivotal motion of the tube is disclosed. The transmission linkage is properly balanced using springs and/or weights so that only a minimum force is needed to actuate the actuator in order to place a golf ball. The device may further include a tee height adjuster to adjust the extent of the rotation of tube to enable the device to dispense a golf ball at a proper height. The device may further optionally include a cover and a place to hold an advertisement. The device may be further made into an ultra portable model by adding a side cover which can be partially flipped open to serve as a golf practice tee.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a golf ball placement device forplacing golf balls.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Golf is a popular sport throughout the world and continues togrow in popularity. Golf is also a demanding sport which requiresregular practice in order to maintain and improve the skills of agolfer. In addition to playing rounds of golf on a golf course, golfersoften practice regularly by hitting balls at a practicing facility.

[0005] When practicing their driving at a driving range, the golfersmust place a golf ball for a shot. Manually placing a golf ball on a teerequires bending of a golfer's back. This repeated bending to place theball is tiresome and even potentially hazardous, especially for elderlygolfers or golfers with back or weight problems.

[0006] A golf ball placement device provides an efficient and lesstiresome method for placing golf balls. Another benefit of the golf ballplacement device is that the golfer can maintain his stance and grip inthe same position when hitting successive balls. The ability to maintainstance and grip improves concentration and provides a repetitive strokecapability which is often beneficial in a practice session.

[0007] A number of golf ball placement devices have been developed toassist the golfer in placement up the golf ball during a practicesession.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,446 to Eberle discloses a dispenser with amovable arm maintained in spring tension. The arm pivots in a horizontalplane and includes a dispensing head at the fixed end of the dispensertube to limit the flow of golf balls into the tube. A golfer must rotatethe arm with a club and then tilt or rock the dispensing head forward torelease the first ball and then rearward to position the ball on the teeand block the other balls. The golf balls have a tendency to jam up inthe hopper and the dispensing head is difficult to coordinate.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,318 to Jennings discloses a golf ballstorage, dispensing and placement device containing a swing tube whichcan be pulled down by the golfer through a hook on the swing tube usinghis golf club head. The golf ball is released because of gravity.

[0010] A motor driven placement device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,732,391 to Karr.

[0011] This placement device requires a motor and complex gear assemblyto position the arm mechanism.

[0012] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,957,296 and 5,071,131 to Turnidge et al. alsodisclose a vertical arm for dispensing golf balls. The device includesan operating pedestal and pulley system which moves the arm from anupright position to dispense a golf ball. The device includes an upperand lower golf ball stop to prevent more than one ball at a time fromentering the guide track.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,614 to Tange discloses a vertical arm with areturn spring. Tange describes the frequent problem of golf ball jams inthe storage hopper of a golf ball placement device. The golf balldispenser shown in Tange includes internal baffles with a zigzagvertically rising single column to eliminate the possibility of ballsjamming in the storage hopper.

[0014] Another golf ball placement device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,326,107 to Park. The arm is motorized and moves only in a horizontaldirection. A guide wire is used to maintain the ball on the arm untilthe ball is positioned above the tee.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,325 to Smith discloses a movable channel armwhich the golfer must push down to dispense a golf ball. Smith alsodiscloses an agitator, which moves every time a golf ball is dispensed,to prevent golf balls from jamming.

[0016] Although a number of golf ball placement devices are known, amultitude of mechanisms and installation requirements result in complexoperations. The devices are expensive and difficult to maintain suchthat few golf ball placement device have achieved success in the marketplace. Many of them are also too heavy and bulky to be portable.

[0017] It is therefore an objective of certain embodiments of thepresent invention to provide a golf ball placement device that islightweight and portable.

[0018] It is another object of certain embodiments of the invention toprovide a golf ball placement device which can position one golf ball ata time.

[0019] Another object of certain embodiments of the present invention isto provide a golf ball placement device which can dispense a number ofballs from a golf ball container without jamming the balls.

[0020] A further object of certain embodiments of the present inventionis to provide a golf ball placement device which requires a minimumamount of force to be actuated to dispense a golf ball.

[0021] These and other objects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the summary and detailed description of the invention which follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0022] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a golf ballplacement device which contains a housing; a golf ball container locatedin the housing; a tube for dispensing (placing) golf balls pivotallyattached to the housing, an actuator, and a transmission linkage thatlinks the actuator and the tube. In the device, when the actuator isactuated by a minimum force, the transmission linkage causes the tube toplace a ball at a particular location.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a golf ballagitator which is pivotally connected to the housing of a golf ballplacement device for placing one golf ball at a time, wherein theagitator is pushed upward each time a golf ball is placed to agitate thegolf balls in order to substantially prevent jamming of golf balls inthe device.

[0024] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to atransmission linkage, which can be used in a golf ball placement deviceof the present invention to convert a downward movement of the actuatorof the golf ball placement device into a rotating movement of the ballplacement tube of the golf ball placement device.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a portablegolf ball placement device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is an elevated side view of a first embodiment of a fullyassembled golf ball placement device of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the fullyassembled golf ball placement device with a plurality of golf balls inits container.

[0028]FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the first embodiment of thefully assembled golf ball placement device of the present invention whenit is dispensing a golf ball.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the golf ball placement deviceof the present invention along lines 4-4′ in FIG. 3.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the golf ball placement deviceof the present invention along line 5-5′ in FIG. 3.

[0031]FIG. 6 is another cross-sectional view of the golf ball placementdevice of the present invention along line 6-6′ in FIG. 3.

[0032]FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a first embodiment of atransmission linkage of the present invention.

[0033]FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a golf ball placement deviceof the present invention showing a second embodiment of a transmissionlinkage of the present invention.

[0034]FIG. 9 is shows a tube of a golf ball placement device of thepresent invention for dispensing golf balls.

[0035]FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of a third embodiment of atransmission linkage of the present invention.

[0036]FIG. 11 is an illustrative view of a fourth embodiment of atransmission linkage of the present invention.

[0037]FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of a fifth embodiment of atransmission linkage of the present invention.

[0038]FIG. 13 is an elevated side view of a golf ball placement deviceof the present invention with a top cover and a place to hold anadvertisement.

[0039]FIG. 14 is an elevated side view of a portable golf ball placementdevice of the present invention with both a top cover and a side coverwhen both covers are closed.

[0040]FIG. 15 is an elevated side view of a portable golf ball placementdevice of the present invention with both the top cover and the sidecover when both covers are open.

[0041]FIG. 16 is an elevated side view of another embodiment of a tubeof a golf ball placement device of the present invention with adetachable head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a golf ballplacement device which contains a housing; a golf ball container locatedin the housing; a tube for dispensing golf balls attached to thehousing, an actuator, and a transmission linkage that links the actuatorand the tube. In the device, the actuator is actuated by a golfer usingits club head. Due to the transmission linkage, the tube is rotated toplace a golf ball. When the actuator is released, the actuator returnsto its rest position and consequently the tube also returns to its restposition. The tube then recharges itself with another golf ball from thegolf ball container. The transmission linkage that links the tube andthe actuator is properly balanced so that it takes a minimum force toactuate the actuator in order to rotate the tube and place a golf ball.

[0043] Referring now to the drawings, a golf ball placement device 15 isshown in FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a fully assembledgolf ball placement device 15 of the present invention in the restposition. As shown in FIG. 1, placement device 15 includes a housing 17,a tube 10 attached to the housing, a golf ball container 2 located inhousing 17, an actuator 8 and other components that are not visible inFIG. 1. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a head 80 of an agitator 48 (not shown)located in slot 35 of container 2 with a bottom as well as a tee heightadjuster 34.

[0044]FIG. 2 shows golf ball placement device 15 with multiple golfballs in its golf ball container 2.

[0045]FIG. 3 shows the golf ball placement device during placement of agolf ball when actuator 8 is actuated. An important feature of thisembodiment of the device of the present invention is that it requires aminimum force, such as the weight of a golf club, to actuate actuator 8.Also shown in FIG. 3 is a golf ball outlet 70 used for passage of golfballs from container 2 to tube 10.

[0046]FIGS. 4 and 5 show two cross-sectional views of this device.Actuator 8 is rigidly linked to one end of lever 16 and shaft 40 (shownin FIG. 5) via nuts assembly 28. Optionally, actuator 8 can also bewelded to one end of lever 16 without using nuts assembly 28. When thewelding linkage is used to link actuator 8 and lever 16, actuator 8 andlever 16 can optionally rotate around shaft 40 without being rigidlylinked to shaft 40 (shown in FIG. 8). Shaft 40 inserts its two ends intohousing 17 and may or may not be able to rotate freely against housing17. Therefore, when actuator 8 is pressed down, lever 16 move aroundshaft 40 in the direction shown by arrow 100. Another end of lever 16 ispivotally linked to one end of an extension arm 18. The other end ofextension arm 18 is pivotally linked with one end of lever 20. The otherend of lever 20 is rigidly link to shaft 60. Both ends of shaft 60 areinserted into housing 17. Shaft 60 is substantially parallel to shaft40. Shaft 60 can rotate against housing 17. When actuator 8 is presseddown by a minimum force, lever 16 moves in the direction shown by arrow100. Lever 16 in turn push lever 20 in the same direction to rotateshaft 60. Tube 10 is rigidly attached to shaft 60. When shaft 60 rotatescounter clockwise, tube 10 rotates with shaft 60 to a substantiallyhorizontal position so that a golf ball being hold inside tube 10 willroll out of open end 14 onto a golf tee (shown in the dotted line inFIG. 3) due to gravity of the golf ball to complete the placementprocess.

[0047] When the force on actuator 8 is removed, due to proper weightbalancing of tube 10, actuator 8, lever 16, lever 20 and extension arm18, shaft 40 and shaft 60 all rotate back to their rest positions beforeactuator 8 is pressed down by the minimum force. In the mean time,actuator 8 returns to its rest position before its being pressed downand tube 10 rotates back to its substantially vertical position as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. After rotating to its substantially vertical position,tube 10, which now does not contain a golf ball inside, can acceptanother golf ball from golf ball container 2. Due to gravity, anothergolf ball will roll into the now empty tube 10 through a golf balloutlet 70 in golf ball container 2 and through a ball blocker 46 havingan aperture 12 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 16) attached on arm 10. Aperture 12matches outlet 70 when tube is in its substantially vertical position.Only one golf ball will roll into tube 10 due to the size of tube 8 andthe size of aperture 12. Ball blocker 46 is closed to additional golfballs from golf ball container 2 when tube 10 is in its substantiallyhorizontal position. Once the golf ball rolls into tube 10, tube isready to place the golf ball onto a tee by repeating the above process.During this process of placing a golf ball, only a minimum force isrequired to press down actuator 8 to place a golf ball due to the properweight balancing of tube 10, actuator 8, lever 16, lever 20 andextension arm 18. Lever 16, lever 20, shaft 40, shaft 60 and extensionarm 18 are elements of an embodiment of a transmission linkage of thepresent invention, which is, therefore, properly balanced as well.

[0048] Preferably, extension arm 18 has a proper weight. Extension arm18 is further linked to shaft 40 through at least one spring 32 at point42. When actuator 8 is pressed down, shaft 40 rotates and lever 16 movesin the direction shown by arrow 100. Lever 16 in turn push lever 20 inthe same direction to rotate shaft 60. At same time spring 32 relaxes tocounter the weight of extension arm 18 because the elongation of spring32 decreases during this movement. The retraction force duringrelaxation of spring 32 is properly adjusted to balance the weight ofextension arm 18 in such a way that a minimum force is required to pressdown actuator 8 in order to rotate shaft 60.

[0049] Preferably, tube 10 may include a weight component 560 (shown inFIG. 9), which can optionally be an element of an embodiment of atransmission linkage of the present invention. The weight of the weightcomponent 560 can be adjusted so that a minimum force is required topress down actuator 8. The method to adjust the weight of weightcomponent 560 so that a minimum force is required to press down theactuator to dispense a golf ball is well known to a person skilled inthe art.

[0050] Preferably, tube 10 may have a detachable head 450 as shown inFIGS. 15-16. The dimension of head 450 can be adjusted to suit differentdriving range dimension, tee height, personal preference or to give atube 10 with a different length.

[0051] Preferably, the device of the present invention further includesa tee height adjuster 34 (shown in FIGS. 1-5), which can adjust thedegree of the rotation of tube 10 based on the height of the tee beingused by a golfer. Adjuster 34 can be a hand adjustable screw with a longshaft 36. Adjuster 34 has external screw thread on its shaft 36. Thehead of screw 34 is screwed into a rotation stopper 30, which ispivotally linked to housing 17 at one end of rotation stopper 30.Rotation stopper 30 has an internal screw thread, which fits theexternal screw thread on shaft 36. Adjuster 34 also passes throughhousing 17 and can rotate freely against housing 17. When adjuster 34 isturned by hand against housing 17, due to the screw threads on shaft 36and in rotation stopper 30, shaft 36 can pull or push rotation stopper30 to a certain position. The position of rotation stopper 30 can limitthe movement of extension arm 18 by block the movement pathway ofextension arm 18 at a proper position, therefore, to control the degreeof rotation of both shafts 40 and 60. The controlled degree of rotationof shaft 60 in turn controls the degree of rotation of tube 10. Theheight of open end 14 at the end of the rotation of tube 10 is thuscontrolled. Therefore, a golf ball can be properly placed at acontrolled height to a golf tee.

[0052] It is a further embodiment of the present invention that externalsurface of housing 17 is flat. Therefore, an advertisement can be easilyattached to the housing of the device of the present invention. FIG. 14shows a device of the present invention with a place 390 for anadvertisement.

[0053] Preferably the golf ball placement device of the presentinvention further includes a golf ball agitator 48 (shown in FIGS. 5-6)having a head 80 and a narrow end 84, which is described in detailbelow, pivotally attached to the housing to reduce or prevent golf ballsfrom jamming. During the actuator's being pressed down process, theactuator also actuates the golf ball agitator to agitate the golf ballsin the golf ball container so that the movement of the agitator canreduce or eliminate the chance of ball jamming in this device.

[0054] Preferably, ball container of the golf ball placement device ofthe present invention has a slot 35 at its bottom so that head 80 ofagitator 48 can penetrate through slot 35.

[0055] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a golf ballagitation system which can be used in a golf ball placement device toprevent golf balls from jamming. The agitation system is shown in FIGS.3-6 as a part of the golf ball placement device. The agitation systemincludes agitator 48, a transmission linkage of the present invention,golf ball container 2 having slot 35 on its bottom. Agitator 48 has anarrow end 84 and a head 80. Head 80 of golf ball agitator 48 ispartially inserted through slot 35 at the bottom of golf ball container2 and can move partially against the container when agitator 48 isactuated indirectly by actuator 8 through the transmission linkage ofthe present invention. Narrow end 84 of ball agitator 48 is pivotallylinked to housing 17 using a nut-bolt assembly 44 or other equivalentdevices. Head 80 of ball agitator 48 can be pushed upward by lever 20when lever 20 rotates to a certain degree because of the downwardmovement of actuator 8. When actuator 8 returns to its rest position,lever 20 will rotate back to its rest position and head 80 of ballagitator 48 will drop back to its rest position. During its being pushedupward and dropping back to its rest position, head 80 of ball agitator48 moves against ball container 2 through slot 35 to agitate the golfballs in golf ball container 2 to loose the golf balls and prevent theballs from jamming.

[0056] It is a feature of the present invention that the slot 35 is atthe bottom of ball container 2, which makes the agitation moreefficient. Therefore, when agitator 48 moves up and down through slot 35at the bottom of ball container 2, a majority of the golf balls incontainer 2 are agitated efficiently. Preferably, head 80 of agitator 48has such a substantial length that it extends through a substantialportion of the bottom of ball container 2. More preferably, head 80 ofthe agitator 48 has a length of at least 2 inches in the horizontaldirection of FIG. 1. Most preferably, head 80 of the agitator 48 has alength of at least 3 inches.

[0057] Preferably, head 80 of agitator 48 of the present inventionextends close to outlet 70, through which a golf ball rolls into tube10. Therefore, the golf balls close to outlet 70 are agitated moreefficiently. More preferably, the distance between the agitator and theoutlet for golf ball delivery is less than 3 inches. Most preferably,the distance between the agitator and the outlet for golf ball deliveryis less than the diameter of a standard golf ball so that no golf ballcan be jammed between agitator 48 and outlet 70.

[0058] In a third aspect the present invention relates a transmissionlinkage that can be used in a golf ball placement device to enable thegolf ball placement device to deliver a golf ball onto a tee when aminimum force being applied to the actuator of the golf ball placementdevice. A first embodiment of the transmission linkage, which can beused in the golf ball placement device of the present invention,comprises rigid connection 28, lever 16, pivotal connection 26, shaft40, shaft 60, extension arm 18, pivotal connection 24, lever 20, spring32 and rigid connection 22 are shown FIGS. 4-7. FIG. 7 shows theelements of the first embodiment of the transmission linkage having beendescribed in FIGS. 4-6 without showing the entire golf ball placementdevice. Other embodiments of the transmission linkage of the presentinvention serving the similar function, which is to convert the downwardmotion of actuator 8 into a rotating motion of shaft 60 while a minimumforce is required to press down actuator 8, are illustrated in FIGS. 8,10-12.

[0059]FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the transmission linkage ofthe present invention. Actuator 8 (not a part of the transmissionlinkage) is rigidly linked to a lever 500 at one end of lever 500through a shaft 40, which can be inserted into housing 17. Lever 500 ispivotally linked to one end of an extension arm 510. The other end ofextension arm 510 is pivotally linked to one end of a lever 520. Theother end of lever 520 is rigidly linked to tube 10 through a shaft 560,which can be inserted into housing 17. In addition to these components,the transmission linkage further includes a balance component 560located at bottom of tube 10 as shown in FIG. 9. The weight of balancecomponent 560 is properly selected to enable a golfer to press downactuator 8 with a minimum force.

[0060]FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the transmission linkage ofthe present invention. Actuator 8 (not a part of the transmissionlinkage) is rigidly linked to a gear 120, which is rigidly linked to alever 150. Gear 120 is attached housing 17 (not a part of thetransmission linkage) in such a way that gear 120 can rotate againsthousing 17. Lever 150 is connected to housing 17 (not a part of thetransmission linkage) via a spring 160. Gear 120 transfers its rotationthrough gear 130 to gear 140 which is rigidly linked to shaft 60. Whenactuator 8 is pressed down with a minimum force, gear 120 rotates andlever 150 moves in the direction of arrow 200. Gear 140 also rotates inthe same direction to rotate shaft 60, which in turn drives tube 10 todispense a golf ball. The tension in spring 160 is properly adjusted insuch a way that a minimum force is required to press down actuator 8 toaccomplish all those rotations.

[0061]FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the transmission linkage ofthe present invention. Actuator 8 is rigidly linked to a lever 230through a connection 220. Connection 220 is rigidly linked to shaft 60.Lever 230 is connected to housing 17 (not a part of the transmissionlinkage) via a spring 240. When actuator 8 is pressed down with aminimum force, lever 230 moves in the direction of arrow 250, shaft 60rotates to drive tube 10 to dispense a golf ball onto a tee. The tensionin spring 240 is properly adjusted in such a way that a minimum force isrequired to press down actuator 8 to accomplish all those rotations.

[0062]FIG. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the transmission linkage ofthe present invention. Actuator 8 is rigidly linked to a lever 330through a connection 320. Connection 320 is rigidly linked to shaft 60.Lever 330 is connected to housing 17 (not a part of the transmissionlinkage) via a spring 340. Lever 330 is also rigidly connected a weightcomponent 360. When actuator 8 is pressed down with a minimum force,lever 330 moves in the direction of arrow 350, shaft 60 rotates to drivetube 10 to dispense a golf ball onto a tee. The tension in spring 340and the weight of weight component 360 are properly adjusted in such away that a minimum force is required to press down actuator 8 toaccomplish all those rotations.

[0063] The weight of the extension arm or other components and tensionof the spring(s) in these transmission linkages can be properly adjustedto achieve a proper balance so that a minimum force is required to pressdown the actuator when these transmission linkages of the presentinvention are installed in golf ball placement devices.

[0064] Preferably, the minimum force used to press down the actuator inthe present invention is less than 10 lbs. More preferably the minimumforce is about the weight of a regular golf club.

[0065] Another feature of the transmission linkage of the presentinvention is its motion amplification effect. The motion amplificationeffect means that the linkage can convert a relative small movement ofthe actuator 8 into a relatively large movement of open end 14 of tube10 to place a golf ball. To achieve such a feature, proper dimensions(or lengths) of the actuator, the lever(s), the extension arm, and thetube are needed. The choice of the proper dimensions for thesecomponents to achieve this motion amplification effect is well known toa person skilled in the art.

[0066] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a golf ballplacement device that is light weight and portable.

[0067] Preferably, the portable golf ball placement device of thepresent invention may further include a top cover to prevent rain orother unwanted debris from dropping into this device. FIG. 13 shows oneembodiment of the covered device. A top cover 300 covers the top portionof device 15 and ball container 2. Cover 300 can optionally contains alid 310 hinged to housing 17.

[0068] More preferably, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the device of thepresent invention may further include a handle 400 on a hinged top cover420 which further contains a locking mechanism 410 to lock top cover 420to housing 17. The device can be lifted using handle 400. Portion 450(also shown in FIG. 16) of tube 10 is detachable for easy storage and abetter portability. The device may be made in a smaller scale for even abetter portability. The device may further include a side cover 440 tocover tube 10. Portion 430 of side cover, which may optionally includean attached golf tee 460, is hinged to housing 17. During practice,portion 430 can be flipped down and serve as a practice tee. Once allthe covers are closed, the portable golf ball placement device lookslike a legal brief case with all its moving parts protected by thecovers. Such a design makes this device portable and durable.

[0069] Preferably, the total weight of this portable golf ball placementdevice is less than 40 lbs without taking into account of the golf ballheld therein. More preferably, the total weight of this portable golfball placement device is less than 25 lbs. Most preferably, the totalweight of this portable golf ball placement device is less than 15 lbsfor a good portability.

[0070] The portable golf ball placement device of the present inventioncan optionally include an advertisement placed on its covers.

[0071] It will now be understood that what has been disclosed hereincomprises a unique golf ball placement device, which finds particularlyadvantageous application for use in a golf practice facility such as adriving range where a golfer may wish to practice its swing and hittingthe ball using a series of teed golf balls. The present invention makesit possible to tee up a large number of golf balls consecutively in aconvenient manner by simply pressing down the actuator using thegolfer's club. The present invention further obviates any requirementfor electrical components in a golf ball placement device. The device ofthe present invention can be produced a relatively low cost with a greatreliability. The device of the present invention is also relativelylightweight and portable and can easily set up in most golf practiceranges. The device of the present invention can be operated effortlesslyusing a minimum force because of the design of its transmission linkage.

[0072] The foregoing detailed description of the invention and examplesare not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way andshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Thescope of the invention is to be determined from the claims appendedhereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A golf ball placement device comprising: ahousing; a golf ball container located in the housing and provided witha golf ball outlet; a tube pivotally connected to the housing, the tubeincluding a golf ball inlet and an open end; an actuator; andtransmission means for converting a motion of the actuator into apivotal motion of the tube, the transmission means being mounted in thehousing and being connected to the actuator and the tube, wherein saidtransmission means is properly balanced to enable the golf ballplacement device to place a golf ball when a minimum force is applied tothe actuator.
 2. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 1further comprising a golf ball agitator having a narrow end and a head,wherein the golf ball agitator is pivotally connected to the housing atthe narrow end, wherein the golf ball container has a bottom and a slotat the bottom, wherein the head of the golf ball agitator can be movedpivotally through the slot of the golf ball container, and wherein themotion of the actuator actuates a pivotal motion of the golf ballagitator through the slot of the golf ball container.
 3. The golf ballplacement device claimed as in claim 1 further comprising a tee heightadjuster linked to the housing; and a top cover which covers the ballcontainer.
 4. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 1,wherein the transmission means for converting a motion of the actuatorinto a pivotal motion of the tube is properly balanced using springs andweights.
 5. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 1,wherein the transmission means for converting a motion of the actuatorinto a pivotal motion of the tube comprises a first rotating shaftinserted to the housing; a first lever having a first end and a secondend, wherein the first lever is rigidly connected to the actuator at thefirst end of the first lever, wherein the first lever is connected tothe first rotating shaft at the first end, wherein the actuator islinked to the first shaft, and wherein when actuator pivotally moves,the second end of the first lever moves pivotally around the firstrotating shaft; a second rotating shaft inserted to the housing, whereinthe tube is rigidly connected to the second rotating shaft; a secondlever having a first end and a second end, wherein the second lever isrigidly connected to the second rotating shaft at the first end of thesecond lever, the second end of the second lever moves around the secondrotating shaft as the second rotating shaft rotates; an extension armcontains a first connection point and a second connection point, whereinthe first connection point is pivotally connected to the second end ofthe first lever and the second connection point is pivotally connectedto the second end of the second lever.
 6. The golf ball placement deviceclaimed as in claim 5, wherein the transmission means for converting amotion of the actuator into a pivotal motion of the tube furthercomprises a spring linking the first rotation shaft and the extensionarm, wherein the spring has a tension and the extension arm has aweight, and wherein the tension of the spring and the weight of theextension arm are properly adjusted to enable to the minimum force topress down the actuator.
 7. The golf ball placement device claimed as inclaim 5, wherein the transmission means for converting a motion of theactuator into a pivotal motion of the tube further comprises a weightcomponent in the tube.
 8. A golf ball placement device comprising: ahousing; a golf ball container located in the housing and provided witha golf ball outlet; a tube pivotally connected to the housing, the tubeincluding a golf ball inlet and an open end; an actuator; and atransmission linkage being mounted in the housing and being connected tothe actuator and the tube, wherein a motion of the actuator is convertedinto a pivotal motion of the tube through the transmission linkage,wherein the transmission linkage is properly balanced and it requires aminimum force to actuate the actuator to rotate the tube from thesubstantially vertical position to the substantially horizontalposition.
 9. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 8further comprising a golf ball agitator having a narrow end and a head,wherein the golf ball agitator is pivotally connected to the housing atthe narrow end, wherein the golf ball container has a bottom and a slotat the bottom, wherein the head of the golf ball agitator can be movedpivotally through the slot of the golf ball container, and wherein themotion of the actuator actuates a pivotal motion of the golf ballagitator through the slot of the golf ball container.
 10. The golf ballplacement device claimed as in claim 8 further comprising a tee heightadjuster linked to the housing and a cover which covers the golf ballcontainer, wherein the tube moves pivotally from a substantiallyvertical position to a substantially horizontal position so that a golfball rolls out the tube thorough the open end of the tube to place thegolf ball, and wherein another golf ball rolls out of the outlet of thegolf ball container and rolls into the tube thorough the golf ball inletof the tube when the tube returns to the substantially vertical positionafter placing the golf ball.
 11. The golf ball placement device claimedas in claim 8 further comprising a place to hold an advertisement on anelement selected from the group consisting of the housing and the cover.12. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 8 furthercomprising a side cover hinged to the housing, wherein a portion of theside over can be flipped down to serve as a golf tee.
 13. The golf ballplacement device claimed as in claim 8, wherein the transmission linkagecomprises: a first rotating shaft inserted to the housing; a first leverhaving a first end and a second end, wherein the first lever is rigidlyconnected to the actuator at the first end of the first lever, whereinthe first lever is connected to the first rotating shaft at the firstend, wherein the actuator is linked to the first shaft, and wherein whenactuator pivotally moves, the second end of the first lever movespivotally around the first rotating shaft; a second rotating shaftinserted to the housing, wherein the tube is rigidly connected to thesecond rotating shaft; a second lever having a first end and a secondend, wherein the second lever is rigidly connected to the secondrotating shaft at the first end of the second lever, the second end ofthe second lever moves around the second rotating shaft as the secondrotating shaft rotates; an extension arm contains a first connectionpoint and a second connection point, wherein the first connection pointis pivotally connected to the second end of the first lever and thesecond connection point is pivotally connected to the second end of thesecond lever.
 14. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 13,wherein the transmission linkage further comprises a spring linking thefirst rotation shaft and the extension arm, wherein the spring has atension and the extension arm has a weight, and wherein the tension ofthe spring and the weight of the extension arm are properly adjusted toenable to the minimum force to press down the actuator.
 15. The golfball placement device claimed as in claim 13, wherein the transmissionlinkage further comprises a weight component in the tube.
 16. A golfball placement device comprising: a housing; a golf ball containerlocated in the housing and provided with a golf ball outlet; a tubepivotally connected to the housing, the tube including a golf ball inletand an open end; an actuator; a first rotating shaft inserted to thehousing; a first lever having a first end and a second end, wherein thefirst lever is rigidly connected to the actuator at the first end of thefirst lever, wherein the first lever is connected to the first rotatingshaft at the first end, wherein the actuator is linked to the firstshaft, and wherein when actuator pivotally moves, the second end of thefirst lever moves pivotally around the first rotating shaft; a secondrotating shaft inserted to the housing, wherein the tube is rigidlyconnected to the second rotating shaft; a second lever having a firstend and a second end, wherein the second lever is rigidly connected tothe second rotating shaft at the first end of the second lever, thesecond end of the second lever moves around the second rotating shaft asthe second rotating shaft rotates; an extension arm contains a firstconnection point and a second connection point, wherein the firstconnection point is pivotally connected to the second end of the firstlever and the second connection point is pivotally connected to thesecond end of the second lever; and a golf ball agitator having a narrowend and a head, wherein the golf ball agitator is pivotally connected tothe housing at the narrow end, wherein the golf ball container has abottom and a slot at the bottom, wherein the head of the golf ballagitator can be moved pivotally through the slot of the golf ballcontainer, and wherein a motion of the actuator actuates a pivotalmotion of the golf ball agitator through the slot of the golf ballcontainer.
 17. The golf ball placement device claimed as in claim 16further comprising a tee height adjuster linked to the housing; a coverthat covers the ball container; a weight component in the tube; and aplace to hold an advertisement on an element selected from the groupconsisting of the housing and the cover, wherein the tube movespivotally from a substantially vertical position to a substantiallyhorizontal position so that a golf ball rolls out the tube thorough theopen end of the tube to place the golf ball, and wherein another golfball rolls out of the outlet of the golf ball container and rolls intothe tube thorough the golf ball inlet of the tube when the tube returnsto the substantially vertical position after placing the golf ball. 18.A portable golf ball placement device comprising: a housing; a golf ballcontainer located in the housing and provided with a golf ball outlet; atube pivotally connected to the housing, the tube including a golf ballinlet and an open end; an actuator; a transmission linkage connectedboth to the actuator, the tube and the housing, wherein a motion of theactuator is converted into a pivotal motion of the tube through thetransmission linkage, wherein the transmission linkage is properlybalanced so that it requires a minimum force to press down the actuatorto rotate the tube from the substantially vertical position to thesubstantially horizontal position; a top cover that covers the ballcontainer; and a side cover hinged to the housing, wherein the sidecover can be opened to serve as a golf tee, wherein when both the topand side covers are closed, the portable golf ball placement device hasa substantially brief case shape.
 19. A portable golf ball placementdevice as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a handle connected tothe top cover.
 20. A golf ball agitation system linked a housing of agolf ball placement device comprising: an agitator pivotally linked tothe housing; a golf ball container having an outlet for golf balldelivery and a bottom; a slot in the bottom of the golf ball container,wherein the agitator moves through the slot to agitate golf balls in thegolf ball container; and a transmission linkage linked to the housing,wherein the transmission linkage can pushed the agitator up and down.21. A golf ball agitation system as claimed in claim 20, wherein theagitator penetrates a substantial portion of the bottom of the ballcontainer.
 22. A golf ball agitation system as claimed in claim 20,wherein the agitator extends close to the outlet of the ball container.23. A transmission linkage installed inside a housing of a golf ballplacement device having a tube for dispensing a golf ball and anactuator to actuate the rotating of the tube comprising: a firstrotating shaft inserted to the housing; a first lever having a first endand a second end, wherein the first lever is rigidly connected to theactuator at the first end of the first lever, wherein the first lever isconnected to the first rotating shaft at the first end, wherein theactuator is linked to the first shaft, and wherein when actuatorpivotally moves, the second end of the first lever moves pivotallyaround the first rotating shaft; a second rotating shaft inserted to thehousing, wherein the tube is rigidly connected to the second rotatingshaft; a second lever having a first end and a second end, wherein thesecond lever is rigidly connected to the second rotating shaft at thefirst end of the second lever, the second end of the second lever movesaround the second rotating shaft as the second rotating shaft rotates;an extension arm having a first connection point and a second connectionpoint, wherein the first connection point is pivotally connected to thesecond end of the first lever and the second connection point ispivotally connected to the second end of the second lever.
 24. The golfball placement device claimed as in claim 23, wherein the transmissionlinkage further comprises a spring links the first rotation shaft andthe extension arm, wherein the spring has a tension and the extensionarm has a weight, and wherein the tension of the spring and the weightof the extension arm are properly adjusted to enable to the minimumforce needed to press down the actuator.
 25. The golf ball placementdevice claimed as in claim 23, wherein the transmission linkage furthercomprises a weight component with a suitable weight in the tube.